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Many thanks to all those who helped us to make the JASGA's Aki Matsuri -- Japan Fall Festival 2011 on October 1 -- such a great success! The effort and dedication of all groups, including performers, demonstrators, vendors, exhibitors, photographers, volunteers, Japanese language class students from LASA, Fulmore, Austin high, ACC as well as the generosity of our auction and prize donors, are much appreciated. Thank you again and we'd love to see you all at 2012 Satsuki Matsuri ~ Japan May Festival!  http://www.jasga.org/news/announcements/2011-aki-matsuri-japanese-fall-festival

JASGA Cultural Salon series in September 2011 presented Japanese Anime and American Pop Culture. Greg Simoes, a represetative of Ushicon talked about how Japanese anime has inspired pop culture in the US. About Talk: Representatives from Ushicon, an annual Japanese animation convention in Austin, gave a presentation on the ways in which anime has influenced American pop culture. From the success in America of the Oscar winning "Spirited Away" to recent Toyota commercials featuring anime character, Hatsune Miku, American pop culture has been rapidly importing and digesting Japanese anime. American cartoons, Hollywood movies and even fashion and books have adopted stylistic elements and themes from anime.  http://www.jasga.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=186

JASGA invited Ms. Joan Cox, a professional Line Dance instructor. The benefits of Line Dance are many – physical, social and health. What better way to get exercise and have fun with friends while also strengthening bones and flexibility and improving balance and posture? You also keep your mind sharp, and improve circulation and coordination with low-impact exercise. Several beginning line dances were taught during this workshop. Joan was a middle school gifted science teacher in Florida before moving to Texas. She has been teaching Line Dancing to seniors at South Austin Senior Activity Center for about ten years. Shas also been teaching beginning line dance at Conley Guerrero Senior Activity Center for about two years and Level 1 and Level 2 line dance at Rhythmic Motion School of Dance for about a year and a half.

JASGA hosted a traditional Japanese Chiyogami * dollmaking workshop using washi** paper for its Japanese Cultural Salon series in July 2011. About Workshop: Japanese paper dolls (warabe-ningyo, anesama-ningyo) are hand-folded from chiyogami or washi paper. In this 1.5 hour workshop, participants will learn to make dolls from chiyogami. About Masako Wetzel: Born in Kyoto, Masako was surrounded by women wearing beautiful KyoYuzen (Yuzen dyed fabrics) and Nishizin-ori fabrics/textiles for kimono and obi (sash). She has brought the beauty of these garments into the making of Japanese dolls. photos by Sonoko

Family Fun Night at Highland Mall - Japan Nite The Summer Family Fun Nights starting June 9 - August 11 at Highland Mall. During the summer, Highland Mall will hold a weekly family night, every Thursday from 6:00-7:30pm. On July 7th from 6:00-7:30pm, Japan Family Evening will be hosted by JASGA in coorperation with Japanese Folk Dance Group and Austin Taiko. We will celebrate Tanabata Star Festival and Japanese Bon folk dance. Where: Highland Mall - Promotions court (by the West Main entrance) When: July 7th @ 6:00-7:30pm

Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) presents a performance by two of Japan’s most talented Tsugaru shamisen performers, Yutaka Oyama and Masahiro Nitta, as a fundraising effort for its Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. 

JASGA hosts a Japanese Taiko and dance performance for a principal dancer of the internationally renowned Japanese drumming ensemble Kodo, Chieko Kojima. This performance is to raise funds for the earthquake and Tsunami victims of Japan. With the help of Martha Durham, Austin Taiko and Japanese dance group, Hanabira and Mirei, donations and proceeds will go directly to the most needed programs in the affected areas. There is a Taiko (Japanese drum) performance "Hana Hachijo" with Martha Durham, Austin Taiko in the show. The local Japanese dance group will perform during the intermission.

Yumie Hirano a native of Hiroshima and a volunteer member of the Never Again Campaign (NAC), will give a presentation about the meaning of origami cranes in Japan and their use as a symbol of healing and peace. Sadako, a child who developed leukemia and passed away from the disease after being exposed to radiation in the bombing of Hiroshima, has been immortalized as a symbol of the wish for international peace. Origami cranes have come to represent the wish for peace in both Japan and the U.S. Ms. Hirano will talk about why paper cranes are a symbol of peace for the people of Hiroshima. The participants in JASGA cultural salon will learn of the ancient art of origami and make their own origami crane. About Speaker: Ms. Yumie Hirano was a medical laboratory technician for 30 years. Now she is a Japanese Instructor at Hiroshima International Center as a volunteer and a member of SGG [Systematized Good will Guide Hiroshima] and FIG [Free Interpreter Guide Hiroshima].